Ba/sr Doped Electrostrictive Compositions for Actuator Design

Abstract

Solid solutions of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and lead magnesium niobate (PMN) doped with barium/strontium were developed for use in miniature electrostrictive actuators. The microstructural features of the materials were determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) and by x-ray diffractometry. The response and the strain hysteresis were measured by applying a sinusoidal or a rectangular voltage pulse. Pulses of variable amplitude and width were applied to the elements to study the switching behavior of 900 domain walls in the materials and to elucidate the initial zero-position "walk off" mechanism. The strain hysteresis or remanent strain of PZT decreased with increasing PMN concentration. A bariumdoped PZT (Ba-PZT) composition containing 4 mole% of PMN exhibited ferroelectric relator behavior with a field-induced strain much larger than those of lead magnesium niobate (PMN) electrostrictive materials and a small remanent strain hysteresis.